Pain compass
Toothache can have various causes. Here we will inform you about typical pain symptoms and potential remedies.
SYMPTOM: Brief sensivity to heat or cold
Potential problem:
Brief sensitivity to heat and cold does not necessarily indicate a serious problem. The sensitivity could be due to a loose filling or the gums receding slightly, exposing a small amount of the root surface.
What can you do?
Try a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Only brush your teeth in an up-and-down motion, ideally only from the gums to the teeth (from red to white). Vigorous sideways movements cause wear to the root surface. If all of this is unsuccessful, see your dentist.
SYMPTOM: Sensivity to hot or cold after dental work
Potential problem:
Dental treatment can temporarily irritate the nerve inside the tooth. This can cause temporary tooth sensitivity.
What can you do?
Please wait up to 6 weeks. If the sensitivity persists or gets worse, please contact your dentist.
SYMPTOM: Sharp pain when chewing
Potential problem:
There can be a variety of reasons for this type of pain, which lead to tooth sensitivity; for example, there could be a cavity, a loose filling or a crack in the tooth. This can then lead to damage to the pulp (nerve).
What can you do?
In order to find out the exact cause, please visit your dentist. A crack in the tooth can lead to damage to the tooth nerve, and can be treated by an endodontologist (specialist in root canal treatment).
SYMPTOM: Persistent pain after eating hot or cold food
Potential problem:
The pulp (nerve) of your tooth is likely to be damaged by a deep cavity or by physical trauma (impact, fall etc.).
What can you do?
Visit your dentist or endodontologist (specialist in root canal treatment). A root canal treatment will probably be necessary to preserve the tooth.
SYMPTOM: Constant, severe pain with pressure swelling of the gum and sensitivity to touch
Potential problem:
One of your teeth probably has an abscess, which leads to infection of the underlying bone.
What can you do?
Visit your dentist or endodontologist (specialist in root canal treatment). It could help to preserve the tooth. Take pain killers until you see your clinician.
SYMPTOM: Dull pain and pressure in the upper jaw area
Potential problem:
The symptoms of sinusitis (sinus inflammation) could feel like this. It is also possible that the consequences of heavy teeth grinding (bruxism) can manifest themselves like this.
What can you do?
In the case of suspected sinusitis, for the time being you can manage with pain killers and medication for sinusitis, and visit your ENT or family physician. If your problem is bruxism, please contact your dentist.
SYMPTOM: Cronic pain in the head, neck or ear
Potential problem:
These types of pain are sometimes caused by teeth with a damaged pulp (nerve). It is not uncommon for these pains to manifest in other areas of the head and neck as well. However, other general medical or dental problems could be responsible.
What can you do?
Visit your dentist or endodontologist (specialist in root canal treatment) for a thorough examination. If it is not a dental problem, a further examination by your general medical doctor will be recommended.